Why Have a Funeral? 

The Purpose of a Funeral & What to Expect 

When we hear the word ‘funeral’, we often get an image in our mind of what a funeral might look like. This mental image is shaped by elements like where we live, our cultural background, beliefs and life experiences.

Looking into history, there’s evidence of funeral rituals everywhere, including memorial services, cremation and hanging coffins. This suggests that human beings have a natural need to honour, respect and remember those who have passed away.

Funerals are more than ceremonies; they can be deeply personal and hold deep meaning. In this article, we explain what a funeral is, why funerals are important and provide an overview on what to expect when planning a funeral.

What is a Funeral?

A funeral is a structured ceremony that allows you to say goodbye to your loved one. Funerals provide you with a grieving experience shared with other family members and the community. They offer a way for you and your family to express your feelings about the loved one who has passed, and commonly a way to share memories and celebrate that person.

It can be difficult to describe exactly what a funeral is and isn’t, because it is so personal. We encourage you to discuss with your chosen funeral celebrant, friends and family how you would like to honour and celebrate your loved one.

Why Have a Funeral?

For many the focus of a funeral, no matter where or when it takes place, is to accept change. As human beings, we often struggle with unexpected, transformative changes, like the death of a family member or a key member of the community. Taking this perspective into account, it becomes easier to understand why it’s important to acknowledge this disruption in our personal and social lives in order to symbolically restore meaning.

In addition to accepting change, funerals have important purposes that help you to go through your grieving process:


Community Support

Funerals bring people together, creating a supportive place where friends, family and other members of the community can share their grief. When coming together as a community, you will typically feel less isolated, which can help you cope with sadness in a healthier way. Funerals can also deepen your connection with others during the ceremony, which allows you to feel understood and supported.


Acknowledgement of Death

A funeral offers a structured way to confront the reality of death, which is a difficult truth when it comes to the loss of a family member or friend. Accepting the reality of death is an important step in your grief, as it allows you to start to process your loss.

Celebrate the Memories of a Loved One

Funerals serve as a space to celebrate your loved one’s life and memories. They provide the opportunity to share stories, and experiences among family and friends, honouring your loved one and ensuring you remember them as you move forward in your life.

Shared Comfort

The presence of others during a funeral can bring you comfort in this challenging time. When you share feelings, tears and sometimes laughter with people who understand your loss, it can help you cope and find relief in your shared experiences.

Planning a Funeral?

Planning a funeral can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process can help ease some of the burden. Funeral homes will typically:

  • transfer your loved one into their care
  • provide facilities for viewing before the service, if necessary
  • handle the required paperwork so you can focus on honouring your loved one.

During the funeral planning, a funeral director, the person in charge of managing a funeral home, will:

  • guide you and your family in connecting with different organisations
  • ensure the funeral is properly arranged.

 

Once you’ve discussed your needs with a funeral director will take care of organising each aspect of the ceremony. 

You can find a checklist on things to consider, key contact information and required documents in the NFDA website in our section ‘Planning a Funeral’.

Conclusion

Funerals have an important role in helping you navigate grief and loss. They offer a structured space to accept the reality of death and celebrate the life of your loved ones. When bringing together friends and family, funerals can create an opportunity for shared comfort, allowing you to express your emotions and honour the memories of those who have passed. While planning a funeral can feel overwhelming, understanding the process can help ease the burden.